FRANKFORT Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear today announced Area Development magazine, a leading economic development trade publication, has recognized the Commonwealth with a Silver Shovel Award, acknowledging Kentucky as one of the most successful states in creating jobs and securing investments in new and expanding facilities in 2012.

“We put a high priority on economic development in the Commonwealth, and this award recognizes that,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentucky has many factors helping us attract new jobs and investment, such as our logistical advantages and a strategic location in the country. But by far, the most important factor is our people. We’re proud of the high quality of our workforce.”

With the summer 2013 issue, Area Development magazine awards four Gold Shovels, as well as up to four Silver Shovels in four population categories, with Kentucky’s honor coming in the 3 to 5 million population tier. The awards are based on a state’s top 10 job-creation and investment projects, which began to materialize in the previous year. Kentucky’s top 10 projects resulted in more than 4,000 jobs and nearly $1.3 billion in investments.

GE Appliances in Louisville was named as one of six national Gold Shovel Projects of the Year. The winners were selected based on the fact that they created a large number of high value-added manufacturing jobs in new or expanded facilities.

“The states receiving 2013 Shovel Awards deserve special recognition for their efforts to attract new businesses and to help their existing corporate citizens to expand their businesses,” said Geraldine Gambale, editor of Area Development. “They have managed to thrive and emerge from the recession as economic leaders.”

The 10 projects that made Kentucky a winner with Area Development include the following:

GE Appliances, in Louisville, 1,214 jobs and $649.8 million investment